Lady Lap Band

I have NOT run away again!

2014-07-31T08:47:00.003-04:00

I have NOT run away again. =) Honestly it’s taken me a little bit to get my life back in order since the week of 14th. As you know from reading my previous post, we lost our little Chloe on the 14th. To make things worse a couple days later on the 17th my Aunt passed away. We had tons of family in town for the funeral and they all stayed with me. Needless to say things were a little stressful!

I’m back to my walking routine although not as strict as before. I’m walking about 5 times a week but more if I have time. Also, I’ve had MAJOR restriction for like the last week and I have no idea why. The good news about that is I lost another 1lb and I only have 4 more lbs to get back into the 160s!

Chloe

2014-07-16T09:23:00.004-04:00

My parents started acquiring Maltese when I was a teenager.

Chaz when I was 15yrs.

Chloe when I was 16yrs.

Candi when I was 17yrs.

Chelsee when I was 19yrs.

I’m a HUGE animal lover, they aren’t just pets they are my family. I’m so sad to say that my little Chloe passed away on Monday at 11yrs old. She had a heart condition and there just weren’t any more medications for her. My whole family is heartbroken.

With this news I couldn’t walk on Monday; I didn’t have it in me. I was also very prepared to sit in a depressed state yesterday when I got home from work. I was going to eat junk and watch the Bachelorette that I recorded on the DVR. I took my little Harvey for a walk (Harvey is my Shih Tzu I got last year when I moved out of my parents’ house) and was then going to call it a night (at 7PM).

That’s when something came over me and I realized I have to break this cycle. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again that I eat due to emotions….all of them. I’m making a very conscious decision to NOT let this sadness consume me and rule my life. I’m not going to fill this void with ice cream. So that is why I forced myself to go for my usual walk last night and I felt so much better when I got home. I was still sad and expect to be for a long time but for once I feel like it’s finally clicked……….if I let myself go I’m just going to become more sad and more depressed. That’s when I’ll eat more and more and walk less and less. I’m not letting myself do that anymore! I’m so thankful that I finally seem to get it. It took 27yrs but I got it lol.

In loving memory of Chloe

What's on your plate?

2014-07-10T09:14:00.000-04:00

Good Morning!

I didn’t walk yesterday. I had places to go and people to see after work and I didn’t have time for my walk, but it’s OK! It had been nearly 4 weeks and I hadn’t missed one day so I think my body needed a day off anyway. I’ll be back at it this evening though! Going forward my goal is to continue 7 days per week with 2 a day on the weekends. However, if I do feel I need a break I am going to give myself a max of 1 day off per week. That sounds reasonable, right?

The scale has not gone down and I have to be honest I am struggling with healthy choices. Mainly I think it’s because I just don’t know what to eat. I need things that are convenient but that are also good for you and those two things combined can be a challenge to find. I’m aiming for 168lbs by the end of July so if that is going to be attainable I really have to get my nutrition on track. I’ve considered counting weight watcher points because that program has always worked for me. The problem is that I start to gain as soon as I stop counting so I’m looking for more of a permanent change. I want to really change my lifestyle.

Does anyone have any food suggestions or care to share with me what they are eating on an average day? I think it would help me to know what is on other bandster plates?

Scale & NSV Victory!!

2014-07-07T14:43:00.000-04:00

Hey All!

I hope you all had a wonderful Fourth of July! It poured here due to a hurricane in my area. Luckily I only saw rain from it and the rest of the weekend was beautiful! I couldn’t keep myself indoors. Thursday, Saturday & Sunday I took two 45 minute walks around the lake and Friday I was able to take 1 walk before the rain. I also hit a personal best of 18,000 steps in one day!

I am down to 174lbs now which is a 6lb weight loss of my 30lb regain! I lost those 6lbs in just about 2 weeks which is great in my opinion! Literally all I’ve done is walk and scale back on the amounts of food I’ve been eating. I haven’t even given up the foods I love; I’ve just cut down. I asked my things like “do I really need to eat the whole bag” LOL and usually the answer is “no”. Plus when you’re working out so hard your mindset changes as you don’t really want to eat a lot of junk to undo all the hard work you just completed!

This week I am going to work on my water intake. Last week and throughout the long weekend I really didn’t drink much water. I am aiming for a bare minimum of 40 ounces but ideally I’d like to get 60 ounces in. I’m not a hot tea drinker but I do like some of the iced teas from Starbucks. Do those count as part of your water intake? Anyone have any tips for getting all your water in?

ps. I changed my email address! It's now ladylapband09@gmail.com.

Consistency is Key!

2014-07-02T12:15:00.001-04:00

Heads up, I’ll probably be blogging pretty frequently this summer. When I am struggling to remain focused the only way for me to stay on track is to commit myself 100%. Hence, here I am posting again. About a week or two before the official start of Summer I started walking like I did back when I was 150lbs. The weather in my neck of the woods has been exceptionally beautiful lately, as it should be after the long snowy winter we had. FYI: I loathe the snow. Here is a pic of the gorgeous lake I live near and have the privilege of walking along every day! I know I’m spoiled!

I’ve decided to put my BodyBugg back on. Check it out if you don’t know what it is because I highly recommend it! The BodyBugg helped me immensely before and I need that extra boost again! I’m walking 45 minutes per day 7 days a week right now. I mapped out my route and it’s about 2.7mi.

and with the addition of the BodyBugg I’ll be able to get an accurate read on the amount of calories I’m burning and the number of steps I’m taking. I’ll let you know the outcome after my first workout with it on.

I am feeling a big difference in the way my body feels and how my clothes fit. Yahoo for an NSV! I’m trying to focus on that because the scale isn’t moving as fast as I’d like. Yes I know I’m being impatient. I'm really trying to remind myself that Consistency is Key!

Let me digress……………….I totally forgot how loud my stomach growls when I’m actually hungry LOL! If someone had been next to me just now I would have been embarrassed, it was really loud! I don’t recall it being so loud before being banded. Wait, I was probably never really hungry before being banded haha that would explain it!

Happy 4^th if I don’t post before then!

To fill or not to fill?

2014-06-30T16:43:00.003-04:00

I’d love to say that I’m writing this post in hopes to inspire or motivate you but today’s post is selfish because I need those things myself. I weighed in this morning at 175lbs, yay right? Well yes I was thrilled since that is a 1lb loss since Friday. However right this moment I’m having a pity party for myself. I can’t believe I worked so hard and am now having to go through the super hard long workouts all over again. I want the body I had back and I want it now! Ok- that’s the end of my tantrum.

Now here is optimistic me……….I CAN TOTALLY DO THIS! Haha. No really, I know I can. Right now I’m trying to decide if I need a fill. I honestly have no clue when I last had one. I think it might be like 1.5 years ago or something like that. I don’t even remember how many cc’s I have in my band but my guess is around 7.5 cc’s. Wow, I just reread those last couple sentences and I can’t believe I don’t know those things as I use to have all that info memorized!

If you asked my hubby he’d say that I definitely don’t need a fill. He’s says that because for way too long now I’ve been getting food stuck left and right. This has only been happening because I’ve eaten too fast or didn’t chew enough. Basically I wasn’t thinking while eating and also was eating things I clearly know don’t jive with my band. So, since I was running to Kohler much too often he’d say that I don’t need a fill. However, if I eat slow enough and pick the right foods (which I’m doing now) I’m definitely noticing that I’m getting hungry and staying away from the snacks is harder!

I think I’ve decided to wait until I hit my next mini goal of 165lbs to go for a fill! What do you think? To fill or not to fill? I’m not sure if I really need one……..

Let's do this!

2014-06-27T15:09:00.004-04:00

I’m an emotional eater, there I said it. However, I think it’s pretty commonly known that most obese/overweight people are emotional eaters. I eat for every emotion………HAPPY, SAD, MAD, you name it and I probably eat for it. I thought that I was “cured” when I had my Lap Band Surgery back in 2009 but I was wrong. I know there is someone reading this now that thought the same thing I did so let it be known that YOU ARE WRONG. Just because you have a band doesn’t mean your problem is forever solved.

Let’s rewind for a moment as I haven’t blogged in FOREVER so I know some of you might be lost. Like I said I had my surgery back in 2009 and as of August 2012 I had lost 103lbs and I was only 11lbs from my goal weight! Yahooo, right!? Well yes, but my weight loss ceased right around then and fast forward to today I’ve gained 30lbs. Huh? How’d that happen?

STRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In 2012 I moved out of my parent’s house for the first time, and then I moved again, and then again (within 1 yr)! I also began the very long process of writing/recording my first EP and then there were the shows I did once all of that was completed. This timeline brings us right through December 2013, so about 6 months ago. Oh and I can’t forget I got a puppy in August 2013 and I love this little guy so much that any time I was spending on myself I gave to him and I think I packed on my last 10lbs by doing that.

So what am I doing to remedy the situation I’ve put myself in? Many things but let’s start with this……..when I was 149lbs, my goal was 138lbs. This was the magical number I had made up in my mind and made myself believe this was the number that would make me happy. Now, here I sit at 176lbs and long to be 149lbs again! What a fool I was thinking 149lbs wasn’t good enough. Why wasn’t it good enough? I was 103lbs down and not only the smallest I have ever been but was in the normal weight range for the first time ever! We all want more more more and it took me gaining 30lbs back to realize I was greedy. Therefore I’ve reevaluated my goal of 138lbs and am now aiming for 148lbs as I think it’s more reasonable for my frame and I’m very happy with this decision! So my #1 remedy is changing my mind set!

Remedy # 2 is exercise! I basically stopped exercising due to my crazy schedule so I’ve cleared my schedule to make time for me. I’ve been walking 45 minutes 7 days per week and am doing circuit training 3-4 times per week.

Remedy #3 is nutrition! Guilty as charged my diet has consisted of slider foods! How else did you think I gained 30lbs? I’ve always said “Your band is only your cheerleader. It can cheer you on from the sidelines but if you aren’t playing the game you can’t win.” Well I have not been playing the game but my trusty band hasn’t stopped cheering me on either! I’m ready to play and make better food choices now and with the encouragement from my band I know I can be successful! I’ve been there, done that and it works! I just have to do it again and not stop this time.

I’m not naïve as I know my solutions aren’t fool proof. I’ll probably gain a few pounds back here and there as the years go by…..I’m not perfect! However, I know in my heart that I’ll never let myself gain that amount of weight back again! Let’s do this together if you’re in a similar situation we need to get out of this funk now!

I can’t believe how long this post is but I guess it’s to be expected as I haven’t posted in over 1 yr. I’m happy to say that I’ve already lost 4lbs having been back on the wagon for about a week now. I have 28lbs to go, let’s do this! I also promise to start posting more often! =)

2013-05-15T11:59:00.002-04:00

What! It’s been like 5 months since I’ve blogged! So what have I been up to? I’m so busy! First off all let’s start off with this…..I fell off the bandwagon! I had a fill back in Dec. that put me over the edge so I had 1cc taken out. Then I thought to myself “I am going to try this on my own without restriction and see how I do”……BAD IDEA! I just went back for a fill yesterday because I weighed in at 170 and about lost my mind LOL!

I am not that upset, I’m taking my own advice and jumping back on the band wagon but I am certainly a little disappointed that I worked so hard to gain some back! It’s all good though I’m working the band again and will get back down to 150lbs in no time, I am sure of it! =) I’m going to do my best to blog more often because I believe it was part of me success! =)

So I have a CD coming out June 14^th! This project has been taking up all my time! I use to be a singer if you remember me saying before but I stopped singing when I gained so much weight. Then I met these two awesome song writers and together we’ve created something I think is awesome! =)

My song “Take the First Step” is in a competition actually. If you’d like you can vote for me here once for every email address you have www.openmicus.competitionalley.com !! Please please please do I need all the help and support I can get!

Please leave me a comment I’d love to hear from you, I really hope you are all well! Below I’ll out links to all my music stuff so you can see what I’ve been up to! =)

My website: www.breanneprimeau.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/breprimusic

MySpace: Coming Soon!

Twitter: www.twitter.com/Breanne_Primeau

YouTube: www.youtube.com/breprimusic

bandcamp: www.breanneprimeau.bandcamp.com

REVERBNATION: www.reverbnation.com/breanneprimeau

SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/breprimusic

Musicpage: www.musicpage.com/breanneprimeau

Music

2012-12-07T16:37:00.003-05:00

I know you don't hear from me in 2 months and then I have two posts in one day! haha things just happen all at the same time! Thought I'd share a little of my music with you!

Apple Walnut Chicken Salad w/ Raspberry Vinaigrette

2012-12-07T12:48:00.000-05:00

I made this last night, so yummy I had to share!!

Apple Walnut Chicken Salad w/ Raspberry Vinaigrette

4 servings / 398 calories each

1 Bag of Spring lettuce mix

1 Head Romain lettuce

4oz Gorgonzola Cheese

6oz Chicken breast

1 large green apple

56g Walnut/Craisin mix for topping salads

Light Raspberry Walnut Vinaigrette Dressing (I use wishbone)

Directions:

Cut and rinse romaine lettuce and combine with spring mix
Divide into 4 equal portions (about 85 grams each)
Top each salad with the following

1 oz gorgonzola cheese
1.5oz chicken breast
equally divide the apple (about 2 1/4 oz each)
14g walnut/craisin mix
3 tbsp dressing

**If you only use 2 tbsp of dressing you can subtract 35 calories**

When a little backwards.....

2012-12-06T14:10:00.001-05:00

Wow I cannot believe it's been so darn long since the last time I blogged! Honestly up until recently NOTHING interesting has happened for me to blog. So a while back I hit 149lbs but that was like for a whole minute and then I shot right back up to 155lbs. Well I don't really know what happened, I guess I let myself go again and here I am back to 160lbs. I'm still a firm believe in what I've always said "when you fall off the wagon, just get back on", so that is what I am doing! I need to focus and start working out more and quit the mindless eating! I really need to stop and ask myself "am I hungry" because most of the time the answer is NO! Right now my goal is just to take off the 10 I've gained and get back to 150lbs because I felt simply marvelous at that weight! I'm not sure I will ever reach 130lbs, it seems like my body wants to settle around 150lbs but hey a girl can dream! =)

I hope you are all well and enjoying your holiday!

Building Habits to last!

2012-09-17T09:59:00.001-04:00

Hey Everyone!

Hope you are all doing well! I’ve been a bit out of touch in the last month as the days have just melting together which is made the weeks fly by! I’m not a winter lover by any means but in a way I am sort of welcoming it this year because it tends to slow the pace of life a bit and I feel like I could definitely use that!

In the midst of the hustle and bustle I lost some focus in regards to working out and good eating habits by grabbing quick meals and skipping work outs. This is the story of my life unfortunately as I’m usually 100% into it or not. I realize this is a flaw of mine that I really want to improve because if I cannot improve it then the reality of maintaining my weight loss for the rest of my life may be more of a pipe dream. My goal right now is to just do a little everyday and to not kill myself. I’m hoping if I can be consistent with this throughout the winter than I can reach my goal and build more of a routine for myself! We’ll see what happens!! =)

Pics

2012-08-06T16:57:00.002-04:00

Just thought I'd share a couple pics of me from this weekend at the wedding I was in. These are candids the professional ones won't be in for a while! =)

I am the last one on the right

NSV

2012-08-01T15:41:00.002-04:00

So boys you might not want to read this and if you do you can’t say I didn’t warn you! =)

I have one of those bras that you can move the straps around and use clear ones if you want to. Well I am in a wedding this Friday and I need the clear ones for the dress and it just so happens I just broke them! So naturally I went to Lane Bryant because that is where I have always gone, I love their bras.

Back in the day I use to work at Lane Bryant so whenever I go in there I usually know someone. So I went in and was looking at Bra’s hoping I’d find one in my size (knew it probably wouldn’t happen) and one of the girls I use to work with said “What are you doing here you know I’m not gonna have anything that fits you” I laughed and said ‘Well I usually have to order a bra” So she took out her measuring tape and measured me a 33!

So come to find out my mind has not caught up with my body, I seem to think I’m bigger than I am. Lane Bryant goes as small as a 36 so buh bye LB I’ll be bra shopping elsewhere from now on. =)

Any ladies have any suggestions where I can get one? I like the wide straps and at least 3 hooks, 4 is better. No padding, it can have a form but no padding and has to have an under wire. I’m just having a heck of a time finding any I like.

It’s been a while but I think I consider this an NSV! =)

2012-07-23T20:44:00.000-04:00

I finally hit the 140's!!! I am so excited and just wanted to share it with you!!! =)

2012-07-14T22:27:00.002-04:00

Hello Loves!

I'm very excited that I've finally gotten back to 152lbs, which is 100lbs lost! It's been what seems like FOREVER since I've been here and it feels great!

I attribute my recent success to logging my food through fitday.com and walking everyday. My walking goal had been 2 miles each day but really just to make sure to get out and walk for a little bit. I think it's really important to keep it a part of my routine even if I can't get 2 miles in or lack the motivation that day to walk 2 miles. Some exercise is better than none!

I'm in my friend's wedding and it's three week away now, I'm hoping to loose a couple more lbs by then. Maybe I can get to 150lbs, that would be cool!

Here's to getting back on the wagon!

Learning About Yourself

2012-07-12T11:09:00.000-04:00

Good Morning!

I must admit that when I started this blog I vowed I wouldn’t become one of those who blog like crazy and then just disappear when they are close to or at goal, yet I’ve become one! I’m so sorry!

The truth is I‘ve been so busy and have had nothing exciting happening in the weight loss department because I’ve not had much desire to work at it. I’ve been so comfortable where I am that I’ve just been sittin’ pretty. =)

However recently I’ve been inspired by my husband who has lost 70lbs all on his own since this past April. It all started because he wasn’t feeling well but he just kept the ball rolling and is doing so great, I’m so happy for him. I’ve been trying harder myself in recent weeks and this morning weighed in at 154! I have not seen that number in such a long time, I am thrilled. I am hoping to hit my next short term goal of 147lbs by the end of August and I can certainly do that if I continue like I am. Right now I am not going over 1500 calories per day and am exercising which is bringing me to a total of around 2,100 calories burned each day which is a deficit of around 600.

The biggest thing I have learned about myself is that I have to eat sparingly throughout the day because no matter how much I try I want to eat the most when I get home and if I eat all I want throughout the day I screw up the whole day when I get home. If I eat around 600-700 calories throughout the work day and eat the rest between 5:30pm when I get home and 9:30pm when I go to bed, then I can make 1500 calories work.

This whole weight loss thing is really about learning about yourself, once you figure yourself out and what works for you, that is when you’ll loose!

3 year Bandiversary!

2012-06-19T16:53:00.000-04:00

Hello! I'm very excited that today is my 3 year Bandiversary! It really does feel like just yesterday I had my lap band surgery. Well since my 2 year I've lost about 10lbs, not too shabby. I always want more but hey I didn't try too hard this past year so I'm happy to be at 155lbs right now. My goal is still 138lbs but right now I'm focused on getting out of the 150's because I've been there for so so long. I have not put myself and my goals on the back burner completely but they have not been a main focus either and I'm ready to bring them front again.

I'm noticing that I am snacking a lot after dinner. I've always been a boredom eater kinda gal so I'm going to start with focusing on not eating after dinner. I'll let you know how it goes! Thanks for all your continued love and support!! =)

Vaca Pics

2012-06-11T14:31:00.000-04:00

Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos

Add caption


My brother & I in Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

My Husband & I in San Juan, Puerto Rico

San Juan, Puerto Rico

Brother, Couin, Cousin-in law, Hubby, & Me in San Juan, Puerto Rico

St. Thomas, USVI

Weigh In

2012-05-14T09:29:00.000-04:00

Last Weigh In: 156lbs

Today'sWeight: 155lbs

Yay I lost another l LB! I am super excited about this seeing I've been having such a hard time lately! I went to a party over the weekend and I saw a lot of people I don't see too often maybe like 3-4 times a year. They kept saying how great I looked and I was telling them how my goal is still 17lbs away and I need to loose another 5 to be "normal" weight. They were so sweet they said I didn't look over weight at all. It's so funny to listen to other people's perception of yourself, what I see is so different. =)

On another note I am moving this week! I'm a little stressed, lots to do but on the actual moving day I should have lots of help thankfully! I rented an apartment on the third floor so I should burn a lot of calories that day carrying all those boxes! lol I have not had time to exercise with packing which has been frustrated but it has not left my mind, I cannot wait until life slows down and I get to walk again! =)

Worth Sharing

2012-05-08T13:02:00.001-04:00

=) I just read this and thought it was worth sharing......

"Let's be realistic here. You don't drop two jean sizes in one day. You won't loose fifty pounds in one month. You're going to binge every now and then. You will go a day or two without working out. Your weight is going to fluctuate here and there. You're going to try new techniques, and they're not going to work. You're human. You're going to fail. But nothing great is ever accomplished, without a few obstacles."

Feeling Defeated

2012-05-02T13:00:00.002-04:00

I don't usually write about feeling defeated but I think it's important for new bandsters to know that it's not all fun and games all the time after being banded. I've heard countless people say that loosing those last few lbs is the hardest and boy are they right. The last year all I have done is basically go up and down the same 10lbs time and time again. I'm not sure what to change in order to move the scale. I refuse to give up but I'm feeling a little lost!

I've been working out consistently for the past few months. I aim for 5 days per week but even if I am really busy that week I never let more than 1 day go in between working out. The only thing I know I need to work on is my water intake, but I also know just doing that alone won't help me loose these last few lbs. Does anyone out there have any suggestions? I'll take any at all! =)

The shockingly high price tag of obesity

2012-05-01T09:57:00.001-04:00

As America's waistline expands, costs soar......

Interesting article, check it out:

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/americas-waistline-expands-costs-soar-100758490--sector.html

Fill Update

2012-04-27T16:12:00.002-04:00

All went well last night, I got my fill of .1cc so I am up to 7.6cc's. Obviously I don't feel anything yet, that can take up to 2 weeks but my stomach is doing A LOT of gurgling when I am drinking today and it's kind of funny. =) I take a sip and then its like wait for it, wait for it...........gurgle gurgle gurgle gurgle lol.

When I told Pam (my nurse practitioner) that I was coming to the next seminar with my friend, she was very excited!! She asked me if I would speak, and of course I said yes I was so honored she asked. I'm not sure what I'll say yet, any suggestions would be fabulous! =)

I think I've told you this before but Pam has told me before that for some reason (unknown to her) it seems that men generally are having more success than woman with the Band. Not that woman aren't but the men are taking more weight off over the long run, interesting. She actually used the words "you're the exception" to me last night. So flattered but there is nothing special about me, I just haven't given up. You don't give up either, =)

Going for a fill......

2012-04-26T16:43:00.001-04:00

I have four weeks left until I go away and I'm just now starting to fill like I need a fill. So I am going to Lahey tonight to see my dearly beloved nurse practitioner for a wee little adjustment, .1cc. Right now I am at 7.5cc and a while back I was at 7.8 and that is when I felt like I was in the green zone so I am slowly trying to make my way back there.

I have a friend who also might be thinking about having the lap band. They aren't sure yet but they've at least agreed to go to the next seminar with me on May 14th so I am really excited about that, I can't wait to tell Pam tonight when I see her!

I'll update you all in a few days as to how this fill goes and what I am feeling!! =) Hope you are well!